This year the Vernon Area Public Library District celebrates its 35th Anniversary; our theme is “A Journey for Peace.”

In 1974, a group of Vernon Township residents had the vision, dedication and commitment to establish a public library district. It has been an impressive journey. Over the years, our library, along with the community, has grown dramatically. During the past 35 years, VAPLD has sponsored a myriad of programs for children and adults, provided countless hours of free computer and internet access, answered thousands and thousands of questions, and we have literally loaned millions upon millions of books. 

We are forever grateful to those 1974 visionaries who took the first steps in our journey: William H. Apostolakis, Harold E. Banser, Dwight L. Chapman, Jackie DeMarco, Judy Foss, Anita Garza, Thomas Gehring, Alvin E. Kruse, Melvin J. Marcott, Robert McGuire, Alice Moody, William Peterson,Clarence B. Pontius, Elmer J. Shirley, Frances Wilkins, Ruth Willut and Joan Wilts.

Our journey is far from over; in fact, the best is yet to come.

Happy Reading, Cindy

Welcome! I am so pleased to have this new forum to communicate with you. The title of this blog is a pun on my last name, which is simply pronounced “first.” It also describes what I hope to communicate to you, my thoughts and experiences during my first year as Director of the Vernon Area Public Library District.

I began in January, so I am quickly closing in on completing my first 100 days.  My first few months have just been a whirlwind …. which might sound like an exaggeration to anyone who hasn’t visited a public library lately.  However, being a 21st century librarian involves more than “shh-ing” and reading the classics. I hope you will “check out” my next installment and let me regale you with my library tales. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to consider a career in libraries; but at the very least I hope it will pique your interest enough to visit the Vernon Area Public Library.